Receptacle for food and/or beverages

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for food and/or beverages includes a container and a lid designed to hermetically seal the container. A bottom of the container has protuberances extending towards the outside and the lid is provided with recesses opening towards the outside. The number of protuberances is less than the number of recesses and each protuberance is located respectively to the right of a first corresponding recess when the lid hermetically seals the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the domain of receptacles for food and/or beverages comprising a container and a lid designed to hermetically seal the container.

STATE OF THE ART

We know of such receptacles from document US2007/000922A1. In this known configuration, the lid of a big receptacle has protuberances enabling to fit a smaller receptacle on the said lid. However, such a receptacle neither allows fitting several big receptacles nor fitting several small receptacles nor fitting receptacles of which the external dimensions are not compatible with the shape and positioning of the protuberances of the lid of the big receptacle.

We also know of such receptacles from document US20150021322. In this known configuration, it is, however, difficult to stack the receptacles of different dimensions given the number of protuberances.

We also know of such receptacles from document U.S. Pat. No. 8,017,681 and JP2005001736. In these known configurations, there is provision to stack only the receptacles of identical dimensions.

We also know of such receptacles from document DE4326176. In this known configuration, there is provision to stack only the receptacles of two different dimensions.

We also know of such receptacles from document D5-U.S. Pat. No. 9,108,766. In this known configuration, it is not possible to stack a big receptacle on top of several smaller receptacles in a stable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the invention is to provide a receptacle for food or beverages that allow more flexibility in the stable stacking of several receptacles.

The invention is defined by independent claims. The dependent claims define the preferred embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention, there is a receptacle for food or beverages comprising a container and a lid designed to hermetically seal the container. A bottom of the container is provided with protuberances extending towards the outside and the lid is provided with recesses opening towards the outside; each protuberance can fit at least partially in each recess. The number of protuberances is less than the number of recesses and each protuberance is located respectively to the right of a corresponding recess when the lid hermetically seals the container.

Thanks to the said protuberances and the said recesses as well as their number, it becomes possible to stably stack the receptacles one on top of the other sideways, more easily. For example, it is easier to transversally stack a receptacle consisting of for example four protuberances, on top of two other receptacles of the same size and of which the lids each have eight recesses. For example, it is also easier to stack one receptacle consisting of for example four protuberances, on top of two other smaller receptacles of which the lids each have four recesses. As illustrated through the examples below, the stacking of many other combinations of receptacles will be easier. With receptacles according to the invention, the stacking does not require that the shape and external dimensions of the bottom of a first receptacle be compatible with the means of stacking provided on the lid of a second receptacle on which the first receptacle, which offers more flexibility in the dimensions and shapes of the receptacles to be stacked, is stacked.

Preferably, each protuberance can be fitted in each recess, which increases the lateral stability of the two receptacles when they are stacked one on top of the other.

The protuberances and recesses can have several shapes and dimensions, provided that the protuberances can be respectively put into, at least partially, the recesses. Preferably, at least one of the protuberances and at least one of the recesses are cylindrical, conical or tapered, or parallelepipedal.

Preferably, all the protuberances have the same shape and the same dimensions, and all the recesses have the same shape and the same dimensions.

Preferably, the number of protuberances of a receptacle is less than or equal to 4. More preferably, the number of protuberances of a receptacle is equal to 4.

Preferably, in an XY orthonormal reference, the distances (e) along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses are all identical.

Preferably, apart from the protuberances and recesses, an upper side of the lid of the receptacle is flat or mainly flat and a lower side of the bottom of the container of the receptacle is flat or mainly flat.

The invention also pertains to a kit comprising several receptacles according to the invention and having different dimensions, particularly having different volumes.

Preferably, the said kit comprises at least a first receptacle according to the invention and a second receptacle according to the invention, the kit being characterised in that, in an XY orthonormal reference, the distances (e) along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses of the first receptacle and the distances (e) along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses of the second receptacle are all identical.

The invention also pertains to a receptacle and a kit as described above, by interchanging the terms “protuberances” and “recesses”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These aspects as well as other aspects of the invention will be clarified in the detailed description of the special embodiments of the invention; there is a reference made to the drawings of the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, schematically and in section, a receptacle according to the state of the art;

FIG. 2 shows, schematically and in section, three receptacles according to FIG. 1 when they are stacked;

FIG. 3 shows, schematically and in section, a receptacle according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows, schematically and in section, two receptacles according to FIG. 3 when they are stacked;

FIG. 5 shows, schematically and from above, a first example of the lid of a receptacle according to a preferred version of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows, schematically and from above, a second example of the lid of a receptacle according to a preferred version of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows, schematically and from above, a third example of the lid of a receptacle according to a preferred version of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows, schematically and in section, a kit consisting of receptacles according to a version of the invention when they are stacked;

FIG. 9 shows, schematically and in section, a kit consisting of receptacles according to a preferred version of the invention when they are stacked;

FIG. 10 shows, schematically and in perspective, a first example of kit consisting of the receptacles according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows, schematically and in perspective, a second example of kit consisting of the receptacles according to the invention;

FIG. 12 shows, schematically and in perspective, a third example of kit consisting of the receptacles according to the invention;

The drawings of the figures are neither to scale, nor proportioned. Generally, identical or similar elements are denoted by identical references in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 schematically shows a section along a vertical plane of a known receptacle (1). It pertains to a receptacle to contain food and/or beverages comprising a container (2) and a lid (3) designed to and thus suitable to hermetically seal the container (2). As seen in FIG. 1, a bottom of the container (2) has protuberances (20) extending outwards and the lid (3) has recesses (10) opening outwards. At least two of the protuberances (20) are located to the right of respectively at least two recesses (10) when the lid (3) hermetically seals the container (2). In addition, the said at least two protuberances (20) fit respectively at least partially in the said at least two recesses (10).

Preferably, the said at least two protuberances (20) can fit respectively in the said at least two recesses (10).

Preferably, at least one of the protuberances (20) and at least one of the recesses (10) are cylindrical, conical or tapered, or parallelepipedal. More preferably, the protuberances (20) of the container (2) all have the same shape and dimensions and the recesses (10) of the lid (3) all have the same shape and dimensions.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a section along a vertical plane of three receptacles (1) according to FIG. 1 when they are stacked and when the protuberances (20) of the container (2) of a receptacle (1) are put in the recesses (10) of the lid (3) of a lower receptacle (1).

In the example of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each receptacle (1) has two protuberances (20) and two recesses (10), but there can be more than two per receptacle (1) in each case, as is seen in other examples described below related to the invention.

Preferably, the number of protuberances (20) is less than or equal to 10, preferably less than or equal to 5, preferably equal to 2 or 3 or 4, and the number of recesses (10) is less than or equal to 20, preferably less than or equal to 16, preferably equal to 2 or 4 or 8 or 16.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a section along a vertical plane of a receptacle (1) according to the invention. This receptacle is identical or similar to the receptacles described related to FIGS. 1 and 2, unless here the number of protuberances (20) is less than the number of recesses (10) and that each protuberance (20) is located respectively to the right of a corresponding recess (10) when the lid (3) hermetically seals the container (2).

In this example, the lid (3) of the receptacle (1) has four recesses (10) and the container (2) of the receptacle (1) has two protuberances. FIG. 4 schematically shows a section along a vertical plane of two receptacles (1) according to FIG. 3 when they are stacked. In another example (not illustrated), the lid (3) of the receptacle (1) has for example eight recesses (10) and the container (2) of the receptacle (1) has four protuberances (20).

Preferably, each protuberance (20) can fit into each recess (10), which increases the lateral stability of two receptacles when they are stacked one on top of the other.

The protuberances (20) and recesses (10) can have several shapes and dimensions, provided that the protuberances (20) can fit at least partially in the corresponding recesses. Preferably, at least one of the protuberances (20) and at least one of the recesses (10) are cylindrical, conical or tapered, or parallelepipedal.

Preferably, the protuberances (20) all have the same shape and dimensions and the recesses (10) all have the same shape and dimensions.

Preferably, the number of protuberances of a receptacle (1) is less than or equal to 4. More preferably, the number of protuberances of a receptacle (1) is equal to 4.

Irrespective of the embodiment of a receptacle (1), and apart from the protuberances (20) and the recesses (10), an upper side of its lid (3) is flat or mainly flat and a lower side of the bottom of its container (2) is flat or mainly flat.

Preferably, in an XY orthonormal reference, the distances (e) along X and the distances (e) along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses (10) are all identical. The examples of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate this preferred characteristic in respectively three embodiments of the lid (3) of a receptacle (1) according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows, schematically and from above, a first example of the lid (3) of a receptacle (1) according to this preferred version of the invention. In this example, the said lid (3) has four recesses (10). Here, the said XY orthonormal reference as well as the distances (e) along X and along Y between the centre distances of two adjacent recesses (10) are noted.

FIG. 6 shows, schematically and from above, a second example of the lid (3) of a receptacle (1) according to this preferred version of the invention. In this example, the said lid (3) has eight recesses (10) arranged into two rows of four.

FIG. 7 shows, schematically and from above, a third example of the lid (3) of a receptacle (1) according to this preferred version of the invention. In this example, the said lid (3) has sixteen recesses (10) arranged into four rows of four.

Numerous other embodiments are considered possible.

The invention also pertains to a kit comprising at least a first receptacle according to the invention and a second receptacle according to the invention, the kit being characterised in that, in an XY orthonormal reference, the distances (e) along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses of the first receptacle and the distances (e) along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses of the second receptacle are all identical.

FIG. 8 shows, schematically and in section, a kit according to the invention and consisting of receptacles (1) according to the invention when they are stacked.

Preferably, a kit according to the invention has at least a first receptacle (1) according to the invention and a second receptacle (1) according to the invention, the volume of a wrapping of the first receptacle (1) being an integer multiple (K1) of the volume of a wrapping of the second receptacle (1). Preferably, the said integer multiple (K1) is a non-zero and integer power of 2, preferably 2 or 4 or 8.

Preferably, a kit according to the invention has at least a first receptacle (1) according to the invention and a second receptacle (1) according to the invention, the height (H2) of a wrapping of the first receptacle (1) being an integer multiple (K2) of the height (H1) of a wrapping of the second receptacle (1). Preferably, the said integer multiple (K2) is a non-zero and integer power of 2, preferably 2, 4 or 8.

FIG. 9 shows, schematically and in section, a kit according to this preferred version of the invention and consisting of receptacles (1) according to the invention when they are stacked. In this example, the kit mainly includes two receptacles (1) each having a height H1 as well as a receptacle (1) of height H2, with H2=2·H1. As shown in the assembly of FIG. 9, this enables levelling the upper surface of the stacking which enables adding other receptacles (not illustrated) above the upper surface of the stacking.

FIG. 10 shows, schematically and in perspective, a first example of kit consisting of the receptacles (1) according to the invention and a way of stacking them.

FIG. 11 shows, schematically and in perspective, a second example of kit consisting of the receptacles (1) according to the invention and a way of stacking them.

FIG. 12 shows, schematically and in perspective, a third example of kit consisting of the receptacles (1) according to the invention and a way of stacking them.

Preferably, the lid (3) of a receptacle (1) according to the invention has an overall surface between 1000 mm² and 60,000 mm², preferably between 3000 mm² and 45,000 mm².

Preferably, the container (2) of a receptacle (1) according to the invention is made of plastic, glass or organic material.

The invention also pertains to a receptacle (1) as described above and in which the protuberances (20) are replaced by recesses (10) and vice-versa. Taking the example of FIG. 3, it will, in this case, pertain to a receptacle of which the bottom of the container has recesses (10) and of which the lid has protuberances (20).

The invention also pertains to a kit consisting of several receptacles (1) as described above and in which the protuberances (20) are replaced by recesses (10) and vice-versa.

This invention has been described related to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and must not be considered to be limiting. Generally, it will appear obvious to the person skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and/or described above. The presence of reference numbers of drawings cannot be considered limiting, including when these numbers are indicated in the claims.

The use of the verbs “comprise”, “include”, “consist”, or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, cannot, in any manner, exclude the presence of elements other than those that are mentioned.

The use of the indefinite article “a”, “an” or the definite article “the”, to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

The invention can also be described as follows: a receptacle (1) for food and/or beverages comprising a container (2) and a lid (3) designed to hermetically seal the container (2). A bottom of the container (2) has protuberances (20) extending towards the outside and the lid (3) is provided with recesses (10) opening towards the outside. The number of protuberances (20) is less than the number of recesses (10) and each protuberance (20) is located respectively to the right of a first corresponding recess (10) when the lid (3) hermetically seals the container (2). 

1. Receptacle for food or beverages comprising a container and a lid designed to hermetically seal the container, a bottom of the container having protuberances extending towards the outside, the lid having recesses opening towards the outside, each protuberance fitting at least partially in each recess, characterised in that the number of protuberances is less than the number of recesses and in that each protuberance is located respectively to the right of a corresponding recess when the lid hermetically seals the container.
 2. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that each protuberance can fit into each recess.
 3. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the protuberances and at least one of the recesses are cylindrical, conical or tapered, or parallelepipedal.
 4. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the protuberances all have the same shape and the same dimensions and in that the recesses all have the same shape and the same dimensions.
 5. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the number of protuberances is less than or equal to 4, preferably equal to
 4. 6. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that apart from the protuberances and recesses, an upper side of the lid is mainly flat and a lower side of the bottom of the container is mainly flat.
 7. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that, in an XY orthonormal reference, the distances along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses are all identical.
 8. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the lid of the receptacle has an overall surface between 1000 mm² and 60,000 mm², preferably between 3000 mm² and 45,000 mm².
 9. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the container is made of plastic, glass or organic material.
 10. Kit comprising at least a first receptacle according to claim 1, and a second receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that, in an XY orthonormal reference, the distances along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses of the first receptacle and the distances along X and along Y between the centre distances of any two adjacent recesses of the second receptacle are all identical.
 11. Kit according to claim 10, characterised in that the volume of a wrapping of the first receptacle is an integer multiple of the volume of a wrapping of the second receptacle.
 12. Kit according to claim 11, characterised in that the said integer multiple is a non-zero and integer power of 2, preferably 2 or 4 or
 8. 13. Kit according to claim 10, characterised in that the height of a wrapping of the first receptacle is an integer multiple of the height of a wrapping of the second receptacle.
 14. Kit according to claim 13, characterised in that the said integer multiple is a non-zero and integer power of 2, preferably 2, 4 or
 8. 15. Receptacle according to claim 1, in which the terms “protuberances (20)” and “recesses (10)” are interchanged. 